Chris Helbling joined the team as Director of Basketball Operations in 2008 and was promoted to assistant coach in 2012.

While at Idaho, Helbling’s duties have included organizing team travel, video exchange, video editing, budget management and other administrative duties. He is also responsible for assisting head coach Don Verlin in a variety of fundraising and community service projects.

He helps oversee the Readers as Leaders program, a community-involvement program that encourages reading among elementary school students. Since its inception in 2008-09, the program has grown from a few Moscow elementary schools to all of Moscow and the surrounding communities – nine total schools and more than 2,000 students. The program has been featured during ESPN broadcasts.

Helbling also oversees the Round Ball Booster Club, which helped fund locker room improvements and other team expenses. Helbling serves as the camp director for the Don Verlin Basketball Camps and manages the Bob White Memorial Golf Tournament, a fundraiser that supports post-eligibility aid for student-athletes.

Helbling came to Idaho after spending two seasons at Gonzaga where he served as a student assistant for the Bulldogs from 2006-08. During his time at Gonzaga, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 48-19 and won two West Coast Conference championships. The team also made two NCAA Tournament appearances.

Before his time at Gonzaga, Helbling was an assistant coach at Walla Walla Community College during the 2005-06 season after a back injury ended his playing career. His responsibilities with the Warriors included recruiting, player development, fundraising, and game preparations. During his three years as a player and coach with WWCC, the Warriors earned a 50-34 overall record and made two trips to the NWAACC tournament where they finished fourth in 2004. During the 2003-04 season, WWCC was ranked as high as No. 2 in the NWAACC Coaches Poll.

Helbling graduated with honors from Gonzaga in 2008 with a degree in Physical Education. He earned his master's degree from Idaho in 2010 in Leadership in Sports and Recreation. He graduated from Moscow High School in 2003 and was a four-year letterwinner in basketball and baseball.